Become a Commercial helicopter pilot

Your flying career awaits

START YOUR JOURNEY

Become a Commercial helicopter pilot

Your flying career awaits

START YOUR JOURNEY

Commercial Pilot Licence – CPL(H)

For those who hold a Private Pilot’s Licence (Helicopters) wanting to develop their skills to become a commercial pilot, we can offer training for CPL(H). This level of licence permits holders to fly helicopters as a career and be paid for their services.

Summary

  • 30 hours’ flight time consisting of: 10 hours’ Instrument and 20 hours’ Visual General Handling and Navigation.
  • 5 hours Night Flying if the candidate does not already hold a Night Rating.
  • Flight test carried out by CAA appointed Examiner.

Pre-entry Requirements

  • Must hold a valid PPL(H).
  • Hold a valid Class 1 Medical Certificate.
  • Have adequate knowledge of the English Language to be able to take instruction.
  • Have logged at least 155 hours’ flight time as a pilot in helicopters, including 50 hours as Pilot in Command of which 10 hours shall be cross-country.
  • Have completed an approved module of Theoretical Knowledge Instruction. A pass in all of the Theoretical Knowledge Exams at CPL(H) or ATPL(H) level must have been achieved prior to attempting the skills test.

Course Information

Get a detailed overview about what the CPL(H) course covers.

The Ground School subjects for the Commercial Pilot’s Licence can appear to be quite daunting, but under the guidance of specialist instruction, candidates are given every assistance to help them gain passes in all subjects. Elite Helicopters do not offer the Ground School tuition in-house, however, we are able to offer guidance and can direct you to the best learning providers in the country who offer distance learning or full-time study courses for students.

The subjects to be studied are:

  • Air Law
  • Operational Procedures
  • Aircraft General Knowledge (airframe/systems/power-plant)
  • Aircraft General Knowledge – (instruments)
  • Radio Navigation
  • General Navigation
  • Human Performance
  • Meteorology
  • Performance
  • VFR Communications
  • Mass and Balance
  • Flight Planning & Monitoring
  • Principles of Flight

All exams must be passed within 18 months of your first sitting. Only six sittings are permitted and if a subject is failed, a maximum of three resits is permitted.

The instructors at Elite Helicopters will always be on hand to help you with your Ground School should you need it, just ask.

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Location

Our CAA approved helicopter training courses are conducted from our comfortable, modern flight school located at Goodwood Aerodrome.

Goodwood
Hangar 3
Goodwood Aerodrome
Chichester
West Sussex PO18 0PH

Call us on 01243 530165

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Students love Elite Helicopters

Get a first-hand perspective from some of our previous students.

Since I commenced my PPL, and through all my hour building, the staff at Elite have always taken a personal interest in my development as a pilot. They create a welcoming and fun environment to fly in, and their wealth of operational and instructional experience shines through in the quality of training they provide. Whether we are on a short check flight or a cross country flight to the Isles of Scilly, it is always an opportunity to learn something new.

★★★★★ Will Ferris

PPL & CPL Student

Elite Helicopters have been very friendly and helpful from the start of my PPL. They are all incredibly kind and always make time available to speak to you if you have any questions or just want to have a chat. The flying programme is very well thought through and the facilities at the hangar are excellent. The aircraft are always clean and tidy making it a pleasure to fly with Elite.

★★★★★ Tom Maher

PPL Student

I spent over a year training with Elite Helicopters and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, literally from walking through the door and meeting Aileen to flying with Tony and Kim. As one of their more “mature” students I found Tony to be the epitome of patience and a very calm instructor. Both Tony and Kim are completely vested in their instruction, the will to succeed and encouragement is very high. I’d rate Elite as a 5 star training organisation and thoroughly recommend them.

★★★★★ Rich

PPL Student

Need to know more?

If you have any questions about the CPL(H) course or want to know how much it costs to become a helicopter pilot, our friendly team are on hand to help.